The Dockers were originally scheduled to host the Western Bulldogs in the West Australian wheatbelt town of Northam, approximately 97km north-east of Perth, in the third round of the annual pre-season tournament.
But, the AFL on Thursday conceded that despite the best efforts of the league, the WA Football Commission and the Northam Shire, the playing surface in the drought-striken town could not be guaranteed to reach AFL standards in time for the match.
The game will be moved to Rushton Park in Mandurah, south of Perth, the home ground of WAFL club Peel Thunder.
Thunder and Fremantle only late last year confirmed an historic alignment where all Dockers players will play when in WAFL ranks and not in the AFL senior line-up for the first time from this year.
Fremantle's cross-town rivals West Coast are also set to visit Northam for a pre-season community camp.
The AFL is adamant the Eagles' trip will go ahead as planned.
Eagles veteran captain Darren Glass will return to his roots during the trip, having played his junior football and grown up in Northam.
AFL general manager of broadcasting and scheduling Simon Lethlean said the visits by both WA clubs to different locations across the state gave the league a greater presence leading into the 2013 season.
“Rushton Park will be ready to host this match on Saturday March 9 for Fremantle and the Bulldogs and, coupled with West Coast’s visit to Northam, enables regional fans in different parts of the state to access the two WA clubs before the premiership season,” Lethlean said in an AFL statement.
The league declared it hoped to reschedule a NAB Cup match in Northam for the pre-season of 2014.